Bay Area Air Quality Management issued a smoke advisory to Bay Area residents Monday afternoon due to the smoke from wildfires currently burning on Mount Diablo.
The agency said smoke from the fire was moving southward along the Diablo Range and might
impact parts of Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Clara counties. Bay Area residents in these regions are advised to remain indoors with windows and doors closed. The elderly persons, children and people with respiratory illnesses should take precautions in particular.
The wildfire that began around 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, on Morgan Territory Road outside Mount Diablo State Park, has extended to more than 3,700 acres and has forced the evacuation of dozens of residents and animals. At the time of writing it was 10% contained.
One firefighter has suffered a minor injury, and an outbuilding has been damaged by the fire, according to a report in the Mercury News, who described the fire as the largest near Mount Diablo in recent memory.
A Spare the Air advisory is not in effect and no burn ban is in place.
Bay Area Air Quality Management has the following advice regarding exposure to smoky air:
- Reduce your exposure to smoky air by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed
- Set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate
- If air smells of smoke, limit outdoor activities to avoid unnecessary exposure
- If you have asthma or other lung disease, make sure you follow your doctor’s directions about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
- If you have heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area.
- Go to www.baaqmd.gov, www.airquality.org/smokeimpact/, or www.sparetheair.org to check real-time air quality
Related:
After the fire: What next for Berkeley Tuolumne Camp? (09.05.13)
Berkeley gathers to remember much-loved Tuolumne Camp (08.27.13)
Rim Fire destroys Berkeley Tuolumne Family Camp (08.25.13)
Berkeley Tuolumne Family Camp appears safe for now (08.24.13)
Berkeley’s Tuolumne Family camp closed due to wildfires (08.22.13)
Wildfires put Tuolumne Family Camp on evacuation alert (08.20.13)
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